Segmented Rotor Blade Bolt Connection in Hollow Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for connecting rotor blade segments in wind turbines require a thick shell or a large bolt diameter, which restricts design flexibility and increases complexity, especially when the bolt connection is at the tip section where the shell is thin and delicate.
Innovation Solution
A bolt connection is established within a hollow space of the rotor blade, allowing the bolt dimensions to be optimized independently of the shell thickness, enabling a thinner shell while maintaining structural stability and facilitating transportation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bolt connection is embedded in the laminated shell of the rotor blade segment, then the connection strength is improved, but the shell thickness must be increased or the bolt diameter reduced, which restricts design freedom and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt connection is extracted from the laminated shell and placed in the hollow interior space of the rotor blade segment. This allows the bolt to be positioned without penetrating or embedding in the shell structure, thereby maintaining shell integrity and avoiding the need to increase shell thickness or reduce bolt diameter for embedding purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt connection is moved from a two-dimensional embedding in the shell to a three-dimensional position within the hollow interior space. This dimensional transition allows the bolt to be positioned optimally for strength without being constrained by shell thickness requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the shell thickness is increased at the bolt connection position, then the connection stability is improved, but the overall rotor blade weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt connection is extracted from the shell structure and repositioned within the hollow interior space. This eliminates the need to locally thicken the shell at the connection position, thereby maintaining uniform shell thickness and reducing overall material usage and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor blade is segmented with a hollow interior space that is utilized for housing the bolt connection. This segmentation allows the connection structure to be separated from the load-bearing shell structure, enabling independent optimization of each component.
3Ease of manufacture
If the bolt diameter is reduced to fit within the shell thickness, then the shell thickness requirement is satisfied, but the connection strength and load-bearing capacity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt connection is extracted from the shell embedding constraint and repositioned in the hollow interior space. This allows the bolt diameter to be optimized for maximum connection strength without being limited by shell thickness, enabling the use of larger diameter bolts with better load-bearing capacity.
4Reliability
If the bolt connection is performed with embedded bolts in the shell, then the connection is established, but accessibility for assembly and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt connection is extracted from the embedded position in the shell and repositioned within the accessible hollow interior space. This allows bolts to be accessed, assembled, and maintained from the interior of the rotor blade segment, significantly improving accessibility compared to embedded connections that require drilling through or accessing from the exterior shell.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a rotor blade (20) of a wind turbine (10) with a first rotor blade segment (30) and a second rotor blade segment (40). The rotor blade (20) comprises a hollow space (51) surrounded by a shell (52). The first rotor blade segment (30) is connected with the second rotor blade segment (40) by a bolt connection. The bolt connection comprises a first connection means of the first rotor blade segment (30), a second connection means of the second rotor blade segment (40), and a bolt (61) establishing a bolted joint between the first connection means and the second connection means. At least the bolt (61) is situated in the hollow space (51) of the rotor blade (20). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of connecting a first rotor blade segment (30) of a rotor blade (20) of a wind turbine (10) and a second rotor blade segment (40) of the rotor blade (20).